Stones Corner, Hope: Hope

Hope is the fourth and final book in Jane Buckley's Stones Corner historical fiction series, which chronicles the lives of characters in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The plot centres on the dangerous political landscape as Paddy Gillespie faces threats while pursuing peace, and the web of deceit surrounding the corrupt businessman Charles Jones is finally exposed through an unlikely alliance. The book concludes the series by bringing various character arcs to a head, including a look at Caitlin's troubled marriage and her longing for James Henderson.

• Series Context: Hope is the final instalment in a four-book series (Turmoil, Darkness, Light, and Hope) that follows fictional characters as they navigate the realities of the Troubles in Derry from the 1970s to the Good Friday Agreement.
• Main Plot Points:
  • Paddy Gillespie: He becomes a target while walking a political path toward peace, and his loved ones are put in danger.
  • Charles Jones: The corrupt and greedy businessman is exposed for his true nature, leading to his downfall.
  • Caitlin: Her disastrous marriage to Chris Pecaro is explored, and she still holds a torch for James Henderson.
  • Unlikely Alliance: An unexpected collaboration between opposing groups emerges in their shared pursuit of justice and retribution against Charles Jones.
• Overall Themes: The series is known for its authentic portrayal of Northern Irish life, blending hard-hitting storylines about conflict with moments of love, loyalty, and dark humour. It aims to provide a window into the history of the conflict, while highlighting the resilience of the people who lived through it.

Jane Buckley is an Irish author based in Donegal whose work brings to life the human stories shaped by the conflict in Northern Ireland. Drawing on her upbringing in Derry, she writes with a mix of honesty, compassion and grit, focusing on ordinary people caught in extraordinary events.She is the creator of the Stones Corner series, a multi-book narrative following families and communities living through the Troubles. Her writing has been praised for its emotional depth, meticulous research and ability to capture both the brutality and resilience of the time.Jane is also the author of the forthcoming Project Children collection, an oral-history work that follows the journeys of young people from Northern Ireland who travelled to the United States during the summers of the 1970s to 1990s. Her aim is to preserve these voices for future generations and shine a light on the kindness and courage shown by families on both sides of the Atlantic.She speaks regularly at festivals, libraries and community events across Ireland and the UK, sharing insights on writing, independent publishing and the importance of telling untold stories.Jane lives in Donegal with her family and continues to write novels and nonfiction rooted in memory, truth and the drive to give voice to those too often overlooked.